Recycling Food Storage Cans?

My husband requested that I post this question. We have started to cycle through some of our food storage. It seems a shame to throw away those big, sturdy #10 cans. My husband made stilts with them for the kids. Cricket (3yo) turned those into drums for the pleasure of all. And that is all we have come up with.

I use them in the garage as organizers. One holds sanding blocks, another has hose nozzle quick-connect parts, another has roofing nails, and on and on. They are on a very old bookcase and it is usually easy to find what I need.

Have I got on idea for you! A few years ago, one of our sisters showed us how to make an “On-the-spot Pee Pot.” You know, when you are stuck somewhere with no restroom anywhere in sight? Keep one of these babies in the trunk and it will be your salvation! I believe she used the plastic Folgers coffee ‘cans,’ that she got from a non-member, but a #10 can would totally work. Label it however you like and stick in a roll of toilet paper and some hand sanitizer and/or some type of wipe to clean your hands. I tried to google for better information but mostly got a lot of sites to tell me how to pass a drug test. jennycherie recently posted…Joy to the World

Now THAT is a good question! I have had the same guilt multiple times this week throwing out these perfectly good cans, but I couldn’t think of anything to do with them. We have done the stilts a few times over the years, but, really, who many tin can stilts can you make.

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I use them in my garden. When your tomato plants ect will just peer over the tops, put that #10 can over the plant. Fill it w/ good soil — and there you go. KEEPS out bugs too and the metal will make your plants grow stronger. I also wash them and put dry beans in them. I would rather have my #10’s than a huge bucket. Can also use them to make mini emergency kits for VT, HT or neighbors. Does your school have an EarthQuake Kit for each class? These would be nice to have in the classroom — strong — keeps out dust. Put in face mask/dust mask, etc for your childs classroom. Tons of things to do w/ these cans! Virginia

I have given them to my kids teachers at school. If their teachers don’t have use for them, I have them put them in the teachers lounge with a sign saying “free.” Teachers, especially art teachers are always in need of stuff like that.

I uae mine to store a manageable quantity of wheat for grinding into flour in my pantry, instead of having to pry the lid off a huge 5 gallon bucket every time. I also have one that I use to store my homemade powder laundry detergent in.

“we build a machine called a reflanger that makes it possible to reseal the number 10 cans. We do not advertise the reflanger much because it is not a big seller. Basically once a can is opened and emptied you use a reflanger to cut the old rim off the can and flange the steel so that a new lid can be sealed on. Our canners will seal reflanged cans by adjusting the bolt under the white plastic base plate that the can sits on. Most cans are able to be reflanged 3-4 times. We highly suggest that the user be careful to properly clean used cans to avoid cross contanimation. ”

you need to cut the top band off to do this all you do is turn the can opener on its side and cut the lid off under the crease.. then reflange it.. the church has a can reflanger I am presently trying to get information on a hand can reflanger to use here at home then put the new lids on and seal.